Firearm magazine



Jan. 13, 1948. E. M. HARVEY FIREARM MAGAZINE Filed March 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l EARLE ["1. HARVEY Jan. 13, 1948. HARVEY 2,434,269

EARLE M. HARVEY aif/W /[fTniZ-rd w Patented Jan. 13, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ne FIREARM MAGAZINE Earle M. Harvey, Springfield, Mass. Application March 31, 194 5, Serial No. 5 85L02 6 Granted under the act of March 3, L883, as

amended April 3 0, 1928; 3 70 G. 757) H 3 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manuiactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to m of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates'ft'o a magaz ne 0 a 1 11 arm and particularly to the class wherein a forwardly moving bolt member forces the cartridge 'out'of its position of engagement by the lips of the magazine.

" The most diflicult condition of feeding a cartridge into the chamber of a firearm arises when the firearm design is such that a double column alternate iced magazine is required. Firearm magazines of this class have taken two principal forms; differing primarily in whether vertical feeding ribs were provided in the magazine or on a member exterior of the magazine. Such magazines generally utilized a single pair of inwardly bent feeding lips on the top rearward portion of the magazine. Such lips generally lay in a horizonta1 plane and thus the taper on the body of the cartridge case produces a. slight tipping of the lon itudinalax s o the cartridge with respectto the horizontal, inclining the nose of the cartridge slightly'over the horizontal.' One conventional construction for feeding the top cartridge in such magazine into the chamber of the firearm provided an inclined ramp having both ubward and lateral inclination and arranged in position to be engageable by the nose of a cartridgjeuch that forward movement of the cartridge forced the bullet nose upward and laterally toward the center of the barrel. Such a ramp has been provided either on the magazine, the receiver or the barrel.

An arrangement such as described requireseither a relativelv long feeding travel measured in terms of projectile diameter. or if the feeding travel is shortened. a considerable amount of energy must be expended forcing the cartridge from the magazine in o the chamber.

Another feeding arrangement particularly applicable to fe ding of cartridges having a bottleneck case util zed a pair of spaced opposed inwardly projecting vertical ribs in the magazine or the receiver in position just forwardof the shou'der of the cartridge case in the ready-tofeed position of the cartridge. As the cartridge is moved forward by the breech bolt, the shoulder of the bottleneck case engages the inwardly projecting rib which forces the nose of the cartridge toward the center 'of the magazine and hence guides the nose laterally into the open rear end of the chamber. As the forward end of the cartridge is forcibly moved laterally the case is compelled to ride upward and over the cartridge lying immediately below and tothe side of it. The last described arrangement requires a magazine having lips which do not contact more than approximately the rearward' /g of the body of the car 'tridge. A o'ntinuous feed lip of greater l n th would prevent the central, portion of the cartridge from rising suflicien'tly to permit the nose of the cartridge to freely enter the chamber, particularly with a short'feed travel.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved magazine for firearms permitting alternate feed from a double column of cartridges.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double column alternate feed magazine which will permit a very short feed travel in terms of projectile diameter and which requires substantially less energy to accomplish the feedingthan magazines of conventional design.

A particular object of this invention is to pro: vide a magazine which will effectively prevent kickout of a cartridge on the recoil stroke of the bolt member.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view 01' an assembled magazine embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the magazine shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a partial top elevational view of a firearm receiver, partly sectionalized along the h0riz'ontal plane to show the magazine in assembled relationship thereto.

4 is a sectional view of the receiver and magazine assembly of Fig. 3 taken along the plane 4-4.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a box-type magazine embodying this invention showing cartridges assembled therein and the top cartridge in an advanced feeding position.

Fig. 6 is atop elevational view of a clip type magaz ne embodying this invention shown with cartridges assembled therein.

' Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the magazine of Fig. 6.

It should be understood that this invention is equally applicable to a box type magazine or to a magazine having the U-shaped form, commonly referred to as a clip. similar to that utilized in the U. S. rifle, cal. .30 Ml. This invention will be described on the assumption of the provision of apair of" conventional inwardly projecting interchange known in the art.

vertical ribs provided in opposed relationship on opposite sides of the receiver and arranged in position relative to the improved magazine to be engaged by the shoulder of the bottleneck cartridge after a small initial forward movement but it should be understood that such vertical ribs could be integrally formed in the magazine as is well known.

This invention essentially comprises providing on a magazine two oppositely disposed holding lips at the rear portion of the magazine and two oppositely disposed cartridge feeding lips which contact the exterior forward portion of the cartridge.

In Figs. 1 through there is shown a box-type magazine I embodying this invention. A conventional follower l5 and spring I6 are mounted within magazine I. The top forward corner of the magazine i is cut away as indicated at 3. When the magazine I is assembled in the receiver 2 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, a pair of vertical ribs 4 project into the cutout portion 3 of the magazine in position to engage the shoulder I I of a cartridge l8. Alternatively, these ribs may be contained on the clip as a type of In this case the cutout portion 3 will not be required.

A pair of oppositely disposed holding lips 5 are provided at the rear end of the top of magazine I. These lips extend forwardly and the length is not particuarly critical, ranging from 3 to /2 of the total length of the cartridge but preferably maintained as short as possible. Holding lips 5 are each terminated by a cutaway portion or relief 6, and, forwardly of cutaway portion 6 a pair of oppositely disposed feeding lips I are provided. The rear extremities of the feed ng lips 1 are preferably located no farther forward than the forward end of the first cone of cartridge l0. An arcuate edge 6a interconnects cutaway portion 6 and feeding lips I while an arcuate edge 5a interconnects cutaway portion 6 and holding lips 5.

The extreme inner end of each of the feeding lips 1 preferably lies on a line constituting an extension of the edge of the adjacent holding lips 5. The edges of holding lips 5 preferably diverge forwardly at a slight angle.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a U-shaped clip type magazine 8 embodying this invention. Both the top and the bottom of the side walls 9 are formed to provide holding lips 5, cutaway portion 6 and feeding lips I in a manner similar to that described in connection with the box-type magazine. The clip 8 when loaded with cartridges may obviously be inserted into the firearm with either side of the loaded clip up.

To fully appreciate the merits of this inven tion, it is necessary to carefully consider every detail of the feeding operation including both the forward and recoil movements of the bolt.

A magazine embodying this invention provides definite advantages over conventional magaz nes in cartridge positioning during the recoil movement of the bolt. Any bolt moving rearward y over the top cartridge of a double column stack, and particularly a bolt having a round bottom surface such as the surface 2! on bolt 20 shown in Fig. 4, has a strong tendency to pivot the top round about the conventional magazine lip such that the rear end of the round is depressed and the nose of the round moves upwardly and inwardly. In fact, this tendency is so pronounced that a cartridge will occasionally be freed of the holding engagement of conventional magazine lips during the latter part of the recoil travel of the bolt and a feeding jam invariably results. This condition arises from the previously mentioned limitations on the length of the lips of the conventional magazine. The lips on a conventional magazine must be limited in length to less than /3 of the rear portion of the first cone of the cartridge in order that the base of the cartridge will move forward out from under the lips. If the lips of the conventional magazine are longer than the proportioned length previously mentioned, the base of the cartridge will not ride out from under the lips before the cartridge assumes a very sharp angle of inclination due to the nose being in the chamber. If the cartridge assumes such sharp angle of inclination, a jam will result between the nose of the cartridge in the chamber and the base of the cartridge, still held under the feeding lip. Hence in a conventional magazine the short length of lips required to produce successful feeding actually provides a disadvantage in positioning of the cartridge during the recoiling movement of the bolt. With a magazine constructed in accordance with this invention, the feeding lips I engage the cartridge a substantial distance forwardly from the end of the holding lips. Therefore, the inclination of the top cartridge produced by the recoiling movement of the hot is substantially reduced because in effect the pivoting point for the cartridge has been moved a substantial distance forward. Thus a magazine constructed in accordance with this invention will not kick out a cartridge from the magazine lips during the recoil movement of the bolt,

At the same time a magazine constructed in accordance With this invention retains all of the advantages during feeding of the conventional magazine having only a short length pair of holding lips. As the top cartridge is fed forwardly from the magazine I on the clip 8, the base of the cartridge clears the holding lips 5 after a relatively short movement by entering the cutaway portion 6 of the lips of the magazine and the rear portion of the cartridge climbs upwardly and inwardly out of engagement with feeding lips I. To facilitate such movement of the cartridge the general slope of edge with respect to the edge of holding lips 5, is preferably selected to approach a right angle condition. In effect, the cartridge rolls up the interior arcuate surface of the feeding lips 7 due of course, to the upward force received from the spring pressed stack of cartridges underneath.

It shoud be noted that the previously mentioned divergence of the edges of holding lips 5 further facilitates feeding, for the farther that the cartridge is pushed forwardly out of the magazine, and hence into the chamber of the barrel, the less is the extent of arcuate engagement of the holding lips 5 on the cartridge.

The most significant advantages of my novel clip reside in the performance on feeding; that is to say, on counterrecoil movement of the bolt. Clips of the prior art have required a ramp, as set forth hereinbefore to force the bullet upwardly and laterally. The requirement for such an appendage is entirely eliminated in the present clip and a smoother feeding operation is obtained than where the ramp is employed. As the cartridge is urged forwardly, the rib 4 and the feeding lip engaged urge the front portion of the cartridge laterally and there is a resultant upward movement of the forward portion of the cartridge (each movement pivoted on the cartridge rim, which is as yet restrained), the upward movement being due to the top cartridge rolling about the next lower cartridge. The upward movement is modified to some extent by the slight divergence in the lips 5, and when the rim reaches the relief 5, it snaps upward, lip I now functioning as a fulcrum to straighten out the cartridge in approximately direct line with the barrel chamber and ready for insertion with all likelihood of jamming practically eliminated. The rib 4 should be located a very short distance forwardly of the shoulder of the cartridge and may be a part of the clip as in Fig. 2 or a part of the gun as in Fig. 3.

It is thus seen that the position of the rib 4, the feeding lips I and the divergence of holding lips 5 all conspire to an improved common result in the feeding of a cartridge and the abrupt nature of the clearance 6 still further enhances the result.

The first cone of a cartridge of the bottleneck type conventionally tapers to a smaller diameter at its forward end. The sides of a compactly arranged double column stack of such cartridges therefore taper forwardly and inwardly. In order to support the stack of cartridges in compact formation, and to facilitate release of the partially fed cartridge from its position beneath the feeding lip 1, it is desirable that the side walls of the magazine between the locating rib l2 and the forward end of the feeding lips I taper to approximately parallel the sides of the stack. (Fig. 3.)

The function of the tapered magazine walls in facilitating the feeding operation is as follows: As the top round in the magazine is moved forwardly by the breech member, the rear end of the cartridge is moved inwardly toward the center of the magazine by the tapered magazine wall. As the head of the cartridge clears the holding lips at 5a the rear end of the round is moved upwardly by the force of the magazine spring operating on the stack of cartridges underneath. The head of the top cartridge at this point lies near enough to the center of the magazine to be easily moved upwardly and inwardly from under the feeding lip I.

It will be appreciated that feeding lips I being separated from the holding lips 5 are substantially more resilient than the holding lips 5. Accordingly, another advantage is realized from a magazine embodying this invention in that the resilience of the feeding lips I imparts an upward snap to the rear portion of the cartridge case as it rolls out from under such lip.

Whether the sides of the stack of cartridges in compact formation be tapered or substantially parallel, it is desirable that the side walls of the magazine, between locating rib l2 and the forward end of the feeding lips I be disposed apporximately parallel to the sides of the stack.

With a magazine constructed in accordance with this invention it has been found that the amount of energy required for the feeding operation is substantially reduced over that required by the conventional magazines, the feeding operation is smooth and the chance of malfunctioning, such as Jamming is considerably reduced. At the same time, it should be noted that a magazine may be constructed in accordance with this invention without any increased difficulty of manufacture.

I claim:

1. In combination, a firearm having a bolt, and a magazine having a, double row of cartridges in staggered piling, said magazine having at its feeding end a rearward pair of holding lips extending no further forward than about the middle of the cartridge, said holding lips diverging slightly in the forward direction whereby the rim of the cartridge is permitted to rise on forward motion, a relief at the forward end of the holding lips to permit release upwardly of the rim of the cartridge, a pair of feeding lips forward of the relief with their rear portions rearward of the shoulder of the cartridge whereby the forward portion of the cartridge is restrained from upward pivoting about the cartridge rim on recoil of the bolt, and a rib forward of and closely adjacent to the cartridge shoulder whereby, in conjunction with the feeding lips, the forward portion of the cartridge is cammed upwardly and laterally inwardly on a circle about the axis of the next lowermost cartridge and in pivotal motion about the rim of the cartridge until release of the latter through the relief.

2. For use with a firearm having a bolt, in combination, a magazine and a double row of cartridges in staggered piling, said magazine hav' ing at its feeding end a rearward pair of holding lips extending no further forward than about the middle of the cartridge, said holding lips diverging slightly in the forward direction, whereby the rim of the cartridge is permitted to rise on forward motion, a relief at the forward end of the holding lips to permit release upwardly of the rim of the cartridge, a pair of feeding lips forward of the relief with their rear portions rearward of the shoulder of the cartridge whereby the forward portion of the cartridge is restrained from upward pivoting about the cartridge rim on release, and a rib on the magazine forward of and closely adjacent to the cartridge shoulder whereby, in conjunction with the feeding lips, the forward portion of the cartridge is cammed upwardly and lateraly inwardly on a circle about the axis of the next lowermost cartridge and in pivotal motion about the rim of the cartridge until release of the latter through the relief.

3. The combination of claim 2, said relief having an abruptly slanted rearward side.

EARLE M. HARVEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 283,122 Lewis Aug, 14, 1883 1,306,972 Nelson June 17, 1919 1,323,063 Johnson et al. Nov. 25, 1919 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 406,885 Great Britain Mar. 8, 1934 508,134 Great Britain June 2'7, 1939 

